MANILA—They may have failed to win the title, but they sure won the hearts of the community they represent.

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons fell to the Ateneo Blue Eagles 99-81 in Game 2 of the Season 81 finals on Wednesday in front of a mammoth crowd at Araneta Coliseum, seeing their first appearance in a UAAP title series in 32 years end in disappointment.

Even though they couldn't be at the Big Dome, members of the UP community came up with a number of ways to show their support.

There were at least 10 different venues around UP Diliman, where the must-win Game 2 was shown. This did not include viewing venues at other UP units across the country.

LOOK: Early Maroons arrive at the UP Theater, one of the venues in campus offering a live viewing of the UP-Ateneo finals Game 2 pic.twitter.com/vAsXbJrGqM

For the UP community, there are many reasons to feel good about next year's campaign.

If, however, there is a moral victory at all for now, it's that this whole season has given the team and the UP faithful rejuvenated excitement for future men's basketball seasons to come. We're looking forward to more yeses from us. See you next season! #UPFight ❤️💚

Sabi ko nga kanina while hosting the viewing party at Sunken Garden, matalo man, ours is still the bigger story. The goal was to show that UP is now a force to be reckoned with, bonus na lang if ever nanalo. Congrats to Ateneo but I think UP also won tonight. ✊🏻